Sunderland enjoyed the better of a goalless first half in today's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

There were few clear-cut chances at either end but Sunderland attacked with greater conviction.

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey forced the only real save of the half when Simon Mignolet stopped his looping volley.

David Meyler made his first start of the season for Sunderland. The midfielder, who recently recovered from knee ligament damage, replaced Asamoah Gyan for the showdown at Craven Cottage.

Gyan dropped to the bench where he was joined by goalkeeper Craig Gordon with Simon Mignolet starting in his place.

Fulham restored Carlos Salcido at left-back after the Mexican recovered from an ankle problem.

The match started at a brisk pace, with a swinging arm from Lee Cattermole on John Pantsil provoking a furious response from home fans.

Clint Dempsey tested Mignolet with a goalbound looping volley before defender Anton Ferdinand limped off in the 10th minute, replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.

Nedum Onuoha headed a corner over from an awkward angle but it was only a half chance.

Fulham were suffering from conceding possession far too easily in the final third, and both sides were struggling to build any rhythm amid a frantic opening 20 minutes.

The home defence dealt with a dangerous ball by Jordan Henderson, crowding out Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck.

Fulham finally burst into life in the 27th minute when Zoltan Gera sent Diomansy Kamara into space only for the Senegal striker's final ball to be cleared by John Mensah.

Brede Hangeland produced a timely block on a cross, but the free ball sparked a penalty area scramble that was eventually cleared to safety.

The half was short on quality but Sunderland attacked with more conviction, Phillip Bardsley setting up a half-chance for Bent, who failed to keep his header on target after leaping high to out-jump Hangeland.

Pantsil then got his body in the way to block an attempt by Bent, who on this occasion was teed up by Henderson.